Dripproof cup



P 1952 F. M. COCKRIEL 2,612,031

DRIPPROOF CUP Filed July 3, 1950 Floyd M. Cockriei IN VEN TOR.

BY WWW Patented Sept. 30, 1952 fpUNIT-ED STATES PATENT OFFICE YI I asiaosr I v j nmrrnoor our I Floyd M. Cockrlel, Edgerton, Mo.

Application July 3, 1950, Serial Na. 171,919

the cup is seated.

A further object is to provide a cup equipped with absorbent means which prevent drippings from running down the outside of the cup and accumulating in the saucer beneath the cup.

A further object is to provide a non-dripcup of the above mentioned character which is highly simplified in construction-neat and attractive-in appearance, sanitary, wholly practical andinexpensive tomanufacture. Y I .-A further object of the invention is to provide a drip-proof cup having a novel overflow-passage communicating with an absorbent element, so that the cup cannot readily spill over, the dripproof cupbeing particularly useful on moving trainsand the like, where it isliable to be'constantly shaken or agitated. Other objects and advantages of the invention willrbe apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the (same;

Figure 1 is. a side elevational view of a dripproof cup embodying my invention, parts in section; and

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

In the drawings, where, for the purpose of illustration, is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral I designates a saucer upon which rests a drip-proof cup II embodying the invention. The cup II comprises a flat b,ot tom I2 and an upwardly flared, conical side wall I3 integral therewith. The cup is provided at its bottom with a narrow, external, annular flange I4 integral therewith, and the cup has the usual, radially extending, apertured handle I5 nearits open top.

The cup is provided in its side wall I3 at diametrically opposite points with narrow, elongated overflow passages I6 extending from points near 5 Claims. (01v 65-13) mulation of drippings in the saucer upon which the side wall I3. as at H, preferably about onequarter of an inch below the top of the cup, although this distance may be varied if desired. The bottoms of the overflow passages I6 open radially through the outer surface of the side wall I3, as at I8, substantially at the vertical center of the cup.

A flexible, highly absorbent band or ring I9 of sponge rubber or the like surrounds the side wall I3, and snugly engages the same as shown. The band I9"extends continuously about the side wall of the cupand has-its bottom end seated upon the annular flange I4. The band I9 extends from thebottoni of the cupto a point near and above the bottom discharge openings II; of the overflow passages, so that the'discharge 'openings'are completely covered by the band when it is applied to the cup. The absorbent band I9 preferably gradually increases in thickness throughout its entire height and toward its top edge. At its bottom, theperiphery of the-band I9 is preferably flush with the periphery of the annular flange I4, as shown. The top edge of the band I9 is preferably slightly hollowed or concave, as at =20, for a'reason'to-be explained. As shown clearly in Figure'l, the "major portion of the band I8 extends below the discharge openings I8 of the overflow'passages I6, so that the band may'ab'sorb a maximum quantity of the liquidoverflowing through the passages I6. Because of its elasticity, the band I9 is 'readilyxremovable' over the flange I4, so that the cup'and band maybe washed and'dried' separately.

In use, when the cup II is filled with coffee, tea or the like, and when the surface of the liquid reaches the level of the top openings or entrances I1, the liquid will begin to overflow through the passages I6, which convey it to the absorbent band or ring I9. Accordingly, if one tends to overfill the cup, instead of its spilling over and running down into the saucer II), the excess liquid is conveyed directly by the passages I6 to the absorbent band. Also, when the cup is raised to the lips by means of the handle I5, its side remote from the handle is usually raised or tilted upwardly, and when this occurs, instead of the liquid overflowing the side of the cup adjacent to the handle, it will enter the overflow passage I 6 nearest the handle and be conveyedto the absorbent band. By arranging the handle I5 adjacent to one of the overflow passages, such passage will function as just described, regardless of whether a right or left-handed person elevates the cup by the handle.

If the cup is shaken or agitated to such an extent that the overflow passages cannot convey all of the liquid to the band I9, and some of the liquid does overflow the brim of the cup, such liquid will run down the outer surface of the side wall 13 and into the concave, top edge of the band 19, where it will be quickly absorbed by the band. Likewise, when the cup is elevated to the lips for drinking, any drippings left on the outer surface of the side wall 13 will run down the side wall, to the concave, upper edge 20 and be absorbed by the band.

My drip-proof cup is particularly desirable on eliminate entirely the annoying drippings which,

generally accumulate in the saucer, so that when the cup is raised, some of the drippings adhe're to its bottom, and then run ofi onto the clothes, tablecloth, or the like. Further, the annoying condition created by the drippings in the saucer, whereby the saucer tends to stick or adhere to the bottom of the cup, is eliminated. Since the band I 9 is readily removable, as previously stated,

the arrangement is sanitary and the cup and band may be separately washed and dried. The band [9 in no way interferes with the normal use of the cup, and the arrangement iscompact and neat and attractive in appearance. It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and thatvarious changes in shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is: 1 l

- 1. A drip-proof cup including a side wall provided with a generally vertical overflow passage having an inlet end opening into the interior of the cup near and below the top of the cup, the overflow passage having an outlet opening openingv through the outer surface of the side wall near the vertical center of the cup, and an annular absorbent band. mounted upon and surrounding the side wall of thecup and extending from a point near the bottom. of the cup to a point near and above the discharge opening and covering the discharge opening so as to absorb liquid flowing from the overflow passage.

2. A drip-proof cup including aside wall provided with an overflow passage having an inlet opening near and below the top of the cup and a discharge opening near the midportion of the height of the cup and leading through the outer face of the side wall, and an absorbent band mounted upon the side wall and covering the discharge opening and extending from a point near and above the discharge opening to substantially the bottom of the cup, the top of the band projecting radially of the side wan for a. substantial distance sdthat liquid running down "the outer face of the side wall will meet the top of the moving vehicles, such as trains, where the dishes 5 band and be absorbed by the band.

are subject to constant shaking or agitation.

3 "The combination of claim 2 wherein said band has an upstanding peripheral edge to en- .close a-collecting basin upon the upper edge of ,theband surrounding the wall of the cup.

' 'flThe combination of claim 2. said side wall having an external shoulder supporting the lower edge of said band.

5. The combinationoi claim 2, wherein said band has an upstanding peripheral edge to enclose a collecting basin upon the upper edge of the band surrounding the wall of the cup, said side wall having an external'shoulder supporting the lower edge of said band.

' FLOYD M. COCKRIEL.

" REFERENCES ITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 148,511 Schoonmaker Mar. 10, 1874 150,227 Cox Apr. 28, 1874 7 554,498 Richards Feb. 11, 1896 600,064 Chaplen'et 9.1. Mar. 1, 1898 608,649 Christiansen Aug. 9, 1898 955,170 I Kandlbinder Apr. 19,1910 1,030,859 Anagnostou July 2, 1912 1,127,739 Covert Feb. 9, 1915 1,340,886 Galleguillos May 25, 1920 1,449,335 Latham Mar. 20, 1923 1,659,442 Quackenbush Feb. 14, 1928 1,759,176" Voo'rhees May 20, 1930 2,541,531 Gruber Feb. 13, 1951 L y .FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 9,797 Great Britain May 19, 1894 12,834 Great Britain June- 1, 1909 52572 Germany June 26, 1890 

